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Suggestions for climbing pack

Kevin Hansen · · Melba Idaho · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 130
axel wrote: I sent an e-mail with questions and then ordered off the web. It took a few days to get the e-mail response back. They had some lame excuse about being out of the office to climb MT Baker.
I placed an order for the Cilogear 40 B work Sac on Dec 6th just after getting an email from Matt. Just after I made the purchase I got a confirmation email telling me that it will be shipped out with in 1-2 business days. Well on the 12th I still didn't see anything in the mail and I sent yet another email asking "Whats up?" Later that day I received a reply mentioning that it will send out the next day. Today is the 17th still no sign.

The only reason why I'm posting this is to let others know that if you've got a big trek coming up, order your pack early because it could take a while to ship, and you may have to hound them.
I will write back with a review of the pack. I'm planning a 4-6 day mountaineering trek this month. Its going to be cold!!
Kevin
axel · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 0
Vic Lawson wrote: Well, that sounds like a great excuse to me. Personally I don't see anything wrong with a person who makes alpine climbing packs out in the alpine arena...climbing...probably using his own pack. Call me crazy.
I thought my sarcasm was obvious. Guess not.
crackers · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 0

...
Well on the 12th I still didn't see anything in the mail and I sent yet another email asking "Whats up?" Later that day I received a reply mentioning that it will send out the next day. Today is the 17th still no sign. The only reason why I'm posting this is to let others know that if you've got a big trek coming up, order your pack early because it could take a while to ship, and you may have to hound them. I will write back with a review of the pack. I'm planning a 4-6 day mountaineering trek this month. Its going to be cold!! Kevin

Hey, just a quick word from Graham at CiloGear. I noticed Kevin's post here, and his pack was shipped on 12th, but it seems that the pack got caught up in a bunch of "adverse weather" we've been having here in Portland. Adverse means good ice climbing ;)...I'm emailing Kevin as well to make sure he's got the tracking info.

Anyway, we assemble most packs pretty much when they are ordered. We don't hold much of anything in inventory, and I'd say we're just now getting up to speed after moving across country. Usually, it's just about an hour and a half of work to get the pack assembled and boxed, but I'm still working on getting our sewers up to speed.

And, we've got 60L packs on sale right now...

Victor Lawson · · Bishop, CA · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 260

Whoooooooo! I'm so damned excited for the new 45L...Jeeze, I check yer blog and site everyday to see the V4 pics and get the scoop...I can't handle the anticipation! When can we see them???

Kat A · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 510

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I ended up with the Mtn Hardwear Direttissima pack based on its sizing and durability, and it was on sale. A great Christmas gift from the family.

Buff Johnson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 1,145
*** wrote = Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I ended up with the Mtn Hardwear Direttissima pack based .... it was on sale. A great Christmas gift from the family.

For you men under 25, the bold print are keywords for your translation devices.

ps - don't ask me for the meaning, my device is broken; I just know keywords when I see them -- it's when I hear them --- stupid translator.
Kevin Hansen · · Melba Idaho · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 130
kevinhansen wrote: I placed an order for the Cilogear 40 B work Sac on Dec 6th...it was shippped on the 12th.... then arrived on the 19th. The only reason why I'm posting this is to let others know that if you've got a big trek coming up, order your pack early because it could take a while to ship, and you may have to hound them. Kevin
Well I finally got the pack and I love it. Naturally, I customized it for my needs and I found the web site's users manual very helpful. As stated before in other reviews, there are so many options, it can be overwelming. This is the most versital bag I've seen yet. I took it into Idaho's Lost River Range, Lemhi Range, and to Bozman's Hyalite canyon over the last 2 weeks. It worked great for an Ice climbing day trip pack, and it did great as a multiday pack too. I'm thinking about customizing it even further and cutting a place on the lower part of the pack so as to accept a harness (BD Alpine Bod) as a waste belt instead of the regular padded waste belt.
Temps got down to -20* yet with all the stuff I had packed, it stayed close and under control.
What I love most about the 40 B is it can pack down really small for day hikes, yet blow up and carry several winter days of gear and still keep it under control. Very Versital.
Kevin
rgold · · Poughkeepsie, NY · Joined Feb 2008 · Points: 526

Since I'm one of the people quoted on the Cilogear blog complaining about waiting for my pack, I think it is important to note that the problem I encountered was a special situation that coincided with Graham moving to Oregon. As soon as he got organized in Oregon, he sent out my pack, and I'm extremely happy with it.

My experience occurred under unusual and stressful circumstances for Cilogear and should not be viewed as characteristic. I've dealt with Graham before and he's always been extremely helpful and has done everything in a timely way. Fwiw, I've had two Cilogear packs and never had any workmanship issues.

All that said, you are dealing with a small shop that doesen't carry a lot of inventory and basically makes up your pack when you order it. One of the reasons the product is as good as it is it is made by someone who goes climbing on a regular basis and knows what works and what doesn't, so you aren't going to be able to reach him at your immediate convenience. For instant gratification, go with a big company with a lot of inventory and a bank of customer service reps to dote on your every whim. But remember you'll be using the pack for years, so a little waiting is pretty insiginificant.

Most people know for months that they need a new pack but don't get around to ordering it until ten days before they leave for a trip. Get a grip fer god's sake and leave some time for a small shop like Cilogear to do its thing.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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